Calculating machine



Jan. 9, 1923. 4 1,441,733. 1. F. MAYS.

CALCULATING MACHINE.

FILED JUNE'ZE, 1919. s SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Irma,

Jan. 9, 1923. I 1,441,733. J. F. MAY S.

CALCULATING MACHINE.

FI LED lUNEZG, 1919. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

mue "fez Patented Jan. 9, 1923.

PATENT OFFICE.

UNITED STATES JAMES F. MAYS, OF LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO MAYS ACCOUNTING MACHINE COMPANY, OF LEXINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA.

NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OF CALCULATING MACHINE.

Application filed June 26,

T all whom it may concern.

Be it known that 1, James F. Mars, a citizen of the United States. residing at Lexington, in the county of Davidson and State of North Carolina. have invented new and useful Improvements in (Jalculating Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to improvements in calculating machines and more especially to those of the ty iieembodying numeral dials which are advanced in response to the strokes of finger keys.

In such machines, it is essential, to secure accuracy that the dial be advanced to its full extent in conformity with the value reprcsented by the key struck, at each operation of such key. In practice, it has been found that in the operation of calculating 5 o machines as l'ieretoiore constructed, there always present the possibility that a key,

during the progress of a calculation, may not be pushed down or advanced to the limit. oi its stroke. this tendency being present particuiarly in calculating machines of the type wherein the downstrokes of the 's compress or tension springs and the drive the dials forward during the .11 strokes of the keys, the increasing ion of the springs during the down iokcs of the keys in such machines imposing; a pronounced resistance upon the final portions oi the key strokes. thus rendering the keys particularly subject to 'lailure to complete their strokes. Failure ot the operator to actuate a key to the full extent of its stioke is also likely to occur due to lack ol uniformitv in the resistance otltered to the actuation ol the different keys in the.

40 sazne machine, the keys representing the themes of higher value being usually more diilicult to actuate as compared with the keys representing the ligu res oi? lower value. in any case. however, although the dial will he advalued nearly to the extent which it should he advancml. due to an incomplete cc. yet the result of the calculation will be inaccurate and so it has been cusloniarv hcrctolore. where such a failure has occurred. to repel-torn] the calculation.

()ne oi the primary objects of the present invention is to provide means to complete the advance of the dial in the event that the dial is not t'l'lll'lpletfil" advanced by the key.

1919. Serial No. 306,888.

such means being relatively simple in its construction and operative with certainty and without imposing any appreciable resistance upon the operation of the key.

Another object oi? the present invention is to provide relatively simple and effective means for preventing overthrow or excess motion of the dial when advanced by the keys, such tendency being present especially when the dials are advanced by the keys representing the figures of the relatively higher values.

To these and other ends, the invention consis in certain improvements and combinations and arrangements of parts all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the features of novelty being pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1. represents a vertical section taken lcmgitndinally through a calculating machine constructed in accordance with the present in vention.

Fi 2 a tragnzeutary section taken trans ol adjacent columns, one key being in its actuated position and the other key in its norn'ial or elevated position.

F represents a fragmentary section I l ta H1011 transversely through the machine showing the operative connections between the keys of two adjacent columns and the respective dial actuating shafts.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing devices for two of the dials to prevent overthrow or excess motion. in the advance thereof and also showing devices for such dials to complete the advance thereof should such advance be incomplete.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing diagrami'naticallv the operation of the device for completing the advance of the dial.

Fig. (3 represents an elevation of the structure shown in Fig.4 as viewed from the right.

F T is a detail perspective view show ing the lowerend ot' one of the key bars. the stop set thereby to limit the rotation of the dial actuating shaft and the member operative bv the key to prevent overthrow or excess motion of the dial.

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

v of the machine showing two keys The improvements provided by the presentinvention are applicable generally to calculating machines of the type employing numeral dials which are set by or under the control of keys. Certain features of the invention being especially applicable to such machines wherein the numeral dials are actuated by the keys irresoective of whether the dials are advanced directly by down strokes of the keys or w ether the dials are advanced during the return strokes of the keys under the power of springs which are compressed during the preceding downstrokes of the keys. The preferred embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings and will he hereinafter described as applied to a machine of the type in which thedials are advanced directly in response totlie downstii'oke's of the keys. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not restricted to the precise construction shown, as equivalent constructions are contemplated and will be included within the scope of the claims.

lnthe present instance the machine cornprises a suitable casing 1 which is preferably of a generally rectangular construc tion, the top plate 2 having openings 3 and i therein through which the numerals on the prin'iary registering dials and the quotient dials respectively may be obseiwed and the top of the casing is also provided with slots or openings 5 through whch the key bar.

operate. The keyboard shown is similar in its general construction and mode or operation to that shown and described in my prior Patent- No. 1,301,0'l3, granted .z-tpriil 15, 1919. it comprises briefly, suitable number of columns of keys 6, there beii Y nine keys in each column corresponding to the numerals 1 to 9 inclusive, the key at the extreme left in Fig. 1 corresponding to the numeral 1 and the keys to the right of said key corresponding successively to the numerals 2 to 9 inclusive. For convenience, I will designate the group of keys 6 as corresponding to the numerals 1, 2 and 3, respectively, taken in their order from left to right; the group of keys 6 as correspond ing to the numerals 4, 5 and 6, respectively, reading in thesame order; and the group of keys 6 as corresponding to the numerals 7, 8 and 9 respectively, reading in the same order. Each key is provided with a key bar or stem 7 which extends downwardly through the respective slot or opening 5 in the top of the casing and through a guiding slot 8 formed in a flange 9, this flange constituting a part of an un e bar 10. One of these angle bars 10 is provided for each column of keys, it being supported rigidly within the casing by transverse plates or supports 11 and 12. A spring 13 is attached at one end to the top of the casing and at its other end to a key bar and serves to return each key to its normal or elevated position and to hold the respective key in such position until operated. Each key bar for keys of the group 6 .is provided with an operating projection 14. The key projections 22 which normally rest upon the top of a third key lever 23, the latter being pivoted to the bracket 18 at the point 24%.. The key levers, 16, 20 and 23 for each column of keys rest upon a step or shoulder 25 which is formed on or carried by an actuating bar 26, the upper end 27 of the actuating bar being slidable vertically in a guide 28 fixed to the under side of the top of the casing and the lower end 29 of the actuating bar extending through a guiding slot formed in the flange 9 of the angle bar 10. Owing to the differential pivoting of the key levers .16, 20 and 23, and hence the varying distances of the pivotal centers of these key levers from the step or shoulder 25') on the actuating bar 26, the actuating liar 26 will be actuated or depressed differentially or to varying extents as determined 3 values represented by the different The bar 26 and also the key levers s 16, 20 and 2?) are returned to their normal or elevated position and are held in such position by a tension spring 30, one end of which is attached to the bar 26 and the other end of which is attached to a pin 31 on the stationary guide 28. The differ en ial r s of the bar 26 are trans muted to a (Jill actuating shaft 32 preferably through a crank 32% which is fixed to the shaft 32 and a link or connecting rod 3411-, one end of which is pivotally connected to the cran r 33 and the other end of which is connected to the bar 26 by the pivot pin One of these dial actuating shafts 32 is provided for each coli in of keys, and each shaft 32 is shown. provided with means by the dilferent keys for limiting the rot .on thereof as determined by the value reiiireseuted by the key which is struck. thus preventing overthrow or excess motion of he numeral dial which is actuated by this shad. Such means corresponds in its general construction and mode of operation to th shown and described in my Patent llo. 1,31 'i z. granted September 2, 1919. it com briefly of a series of stop arms iixeu to the shaft these stop arms radiatii'ig from the shaft at graduated angles to conform with the rotates to advance the numeral dial to theproper extentjto;

correspond with the value represented by the different keys. This overthrow means also comprises stops 37 which are pivoted at 38 to the vertical flange 9 of the angle bar 10, the upper ends of the stops 37 being offset to overlie lugs 39 formed on the upper edge of the angle bar 10 and the lower ends of thestops being bent laterally to form projections 40 arranged to be engaged and deflected by incline or cam surfaces 41 on the respective key bars. The stops 37 are normally held in a position to clear the stop arms 36 on the shaft 32 by their springs 4-2, but depression of any key will cause the incline 41 to deflect the projection 40, of the stop laterally, thus rotating the stop on its pivot and bringing the upper end of the shop into the i stop arm 36 on the shaft 32. Each stop is thus set during the initial part of the down stroke of its respective key and the stop so set will arrest the'rotation of the sha 32 when this shaft has rotated to the proper degree correspondingto the value re resented by the key which is struck. ach stop is aummatically; reset or restored to inactive position by its spring when the respective. key returns to its normal vor elevated position. The shaft 32 issupported by bearings 43 and 44 mounted on the transverse supporting bars 45 and 12, ball bearings being preferably used to minimize the resistance offered to the rotation .of the shaft and particularly tominimize resistance to the ret'urnof the shaft to normal position after each actuation thereof. 'The return rotation of the shaft 32 is effected by the spring 46, one end of which is fixed to the shaft and the other end of which is;

attached to a relativelyfixedpart, such as the cross member or support 11.

Each shaft 32 serves to actuate its respective registering or'numeral dial 4t? during: the downstrolie of a key in the-respective column. As shown, a gear sector 48 is fixed on each shaft 32', such sector meshing with a dial driving pinion 49, the dial driving pinion being connected to the respective dial t-ln'ou'ghthe medium of alost motion con nection 50 which is similar in its construction and mode of operation to the lost motion connection shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1.323594, granted October 13. 1919, the lost motion provided by this connection between the key operated shaft 39 I and the respective dial occurringduring the initial part of the downstrohe of the key. thus enabling the respective numeral dial to. remain stationary while the shaftrotates to an extent necessary to lock the carry mechanism for the difi'erent dials. 51 designates one of the units ofthe carry mechanism, the

path of the appropriatestroke.

tached at one end to the carry mechanism being of the construction shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,309,535, granted July 8, 1919. Locking of the carry mechanism is effected, upon the initial part of the downstroke of any key, by a cam 52 which is fixed to the forward end of each shaft-32 and cooperates with a roller 53 attached, to a rock shaft 5 1, the rock shaft 54 having an arm 55 fixed thereon, the

arm 55 being connected by a link 56 to the 7 common control member of the carry mechanism as fully shown and described in my said Patent No. 1,309,535. Each numeral dial 47 and corresponding carry mechanism unit is mounted on a dial shaft 57 and a quotient dial 58 adapted to be used in operations of division is mounted preferably in alinement with the corresponding registering, dial 4?. The quotent mechanism shown corresponds substantially to that shown and described in my prior Patent No. 1,309,536, granted July 8, 1919.

The present invention provides simple and effective means for preventing overthrow or excess motion of each numeral dial incident to its advance under the action of a key As shown, a series of ten pins or projections 59 is carried in fixed. relation on each dial shaft 57, these pins corresponding in number, spacing and position with the numerals borne by the dial on the respective shaft. In order to facilitate the spacing of the mechanism within the machine, the pins or projections 59 are fixed directly on the forward side of the alternate dials while the pins 59 for the remaining dials are fixed on the rear sides of disc '60 which are fixed on the remaining dial shafts. as will be understood clearly from Fig. ,6. An overthrow check in the form of a bar (31 is provided for each set of pins 59, each. overthrow check being common to a column of keys. As shown. in Fig. 4, each bar 61 is pivotally mounted at its lower end on a pin 62, the pin 62 being connected to vertically movable slide 63 arranged at one side of a support 64. The support 64 is provided with a slot 65 to allow vertical movement of the pin 62 and a second pin 66 may be provided. toward the lower end of the slide 63 and arranged to reciprocate in a slot 67 in the support 64 in order to aid in guiding the vertical movements of the slide 63. spring 68 encircles the pin 62, one end of the sprimr engaging a pin (39 on the bar (11" and the other end of thcspringr engaging: a pin TU on the slide 63 the spring: acting to vieldinn-1y hold the upper end of the bar 61 against a stop '72 in a manner that will be hereinafter described. spring '73 is atsupport 64- and at its other, end to a part movable with the llO Cir

end of a lever '74,

slide 63, as for example, the pin (32-, this spring acting to pull the slide 63 downwardly and to normally hold it in its lower position. The slide 63 rest-son the forward this lever being pivoted immediately above the bottom of the casing so as to rock vertically on a pivot pin 75. Normally, the spring acti on the slide (53 will press and hold the iorward end of he lever "l down against the bottom of the casing, the latter serving as a stop. The opposite or :ar end 76 ot the lever 74 underlies a projection 7'? "formed on the forward end of a bar 78, the latter being pivoted at 79 to the rear portion otthe casing. One oi? these bars 78 is provided for each column oi keys and each bar is formed with a set of lugs 80 which are located in line with respective key bars of the corresponding COlllll'iIl. [he bar 78 is normally held in elevated position by the lever T l under the action of the spring 73, the upper end of the bar or check 6]. being then clear of the .pins 59. Therefore while the overthrow check is in the position described, the corresponding dial may be advanced without interference by the check. The lugs 80 on'the bar 78, however, are so located. with respect to the lower ends of the key bars that the final portionsot the down stroke of any key in the column will cause the lower end of the respective key bars to engage an d rlepressthe bar 78. in consequence the leverfl' l. will. be rocked to reverse its position, its ioiwvard end being elevated, thus pushing up the slide 6 :5, as the result of which the bar 61. will. be pushed upwardl bringing its upper end into a position between two adjacent pins 59 for the respective dial, the position oi? the bar 61. at this moment being indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. The final part oi the advancing movement of the dial due to the continued descent of the actuated key will cause the pin 59 behind the bar (ll to engage the bar 61 and swing it over against the stop 72 as indicated by the full lines at the left hand side of Fig. at, the bar 61 then acting as a stop to prevent advance of the corresponding dial beyond the point to which. it should be advanced by the key which is struck. The initial part or" the up or return stroke of the key causes the respective key bar to recede relatively to the bar '78 thus permitting this bar to rise and in turn permit the lever 74- .to return to its normal position. As a consequence the over throw check or bar 81 descends and as soon as its upper end is withdrawn from the path of the pin 59 by which it was engaged, this bar ill will snap back against the stop 71 under the influence or its spring (58. The corresponding); dial is then unlocked and it may be advanced by its carry mechanism upon completion of the return stroke of the 3 key, it such dial is due to receive a carry from the dial of the-next lower denomination, the operation or the carry mechanism being fully described in my Patent No. 1,309,535, hereinhefore referred to.

The present invention also provides means for insuringcoinplete advance of the dial at each operation thereof, or in other words, to complete the advance of a dial which has been only partially advanced through failure of thekey to make a full stroke. Preferably and as shown, the means for accomplishing this purpose cooperates with the pins 59 for the dial andit comprises a pawl 81 which is pivotally connected at 82 ton bar 83, the lat ter being pivoted to rock on a pin. 84. A

tension spring 85 connects the pawl 81 and the bar 8 8,itact1n'g to move the upper end of the pawl 81 toward or into engagement with the stop 72. A fixed stop 86 provides a support on which the bar 88 may rest to limit the downward movement of said bar andthe spring 87 actson the bar 83 to yieldingly press the bar 83 downwardly or toward.

the s'top86. 'Anarm 88 is fixed to the forward end of each shaft/32, the free end of such arm being arranged in the path of the bar 88; Normally when all the keysot any column are elevated, the arm 88 will occupy the position shown on the right hand side of i Fig." 4, thepfree end of the arm 88 then engaging the under side of the bar 83 and pressing thesame upwardly, the upper end of the pawl. 81. then hearing at the rear side of the appropriate pin 59. When a key in a column is depressed, the corresponding shaft 32 rotated ina direction which carries the arm '88 downwardly or away from the bar 83, the arm 88 being shown in such a position at the left hand side of Fig. 4L. In consequence'the bar 83 will descend until; it rests on the stop 86. During the advancing rotation of the corresponding dial incident to the down stroke ofthe key, the pins 59 will defleet the upper end of the pawl 81 and thus pass the pawl freely. During the final porascend until it engages the under side of the pin 59 which is in line therewith, WltllO'Llil,

however, advancing the dialv In the event, however, that the dial has been advanced nearly but not completely to its full extent,

the upper end of the pawl 81. will engage the pin 59 in line therewith bettore the pawl 81 has completed its upstroke in consequence or which the pawl 81 will push ahead the pin 59 which it engages until the pawl 81 has completed its upstroke and in that manner the advance movement of the dial is completed. The power necessary to actuate the pawl 81 to thus complete the advance of the dial is derived from the corresponding dial actuating shaft 32 as such shaft returns to its initialv position under the action of its spring 46 and also the spring 30, which acts upon. the crank 33 attached to said shaft and hence certainty in the operation of the pawl 81 is insured. When the pawl 81 is in its normal position, as shown at the right hand side of Fig. 4, the corresponding dial is free to advance to receive a carry from the dial of next lower denomination, as the pin 59 which engages the side of the pawl will merely deflect the pawl as such pin assumes a position above the pawl.

It will be understood that the stroke of the pawl 81 is so determined that it will be sufficient-to advance the dial through an angle corresponding to a fraction of the space between the numerals thereon. The pawl will then be able to complete the advance-of the dial under ordinary circumstances where the dial has not been fully or completely advanced by the key, for in such cases the failure to completely advance the dial is due to the fact that the key has been pushed nearly but not completely down to its limit of stroke. The pawl 81 and its associated mechanism comprises therefore an auxiliary mechanisms capable of completing the advance of the dial should the usual or keyoperated mechanism fail to advance the dial completely or to its full extent.

The overthrow check provided by the present invention is simple in its construction and it is certain in its action. It is positively set into operative position and as it is interengaged between adjacent projections it cannot be thrown out of operative position by the movement of the dial. As the check yields laterally or advances with the dial, it brings the dial to a gradual stop and hence rebound and shock are avoided.

What is claimed is 1. In a calculating machine, a dial, actuating means therefor, and means for preventing overthrow in the advance of the dial comprising a series of projections movable with the dial, a member movable by said actuating means into a position in front'of one of said projections during the advancing movement of the dial and capable of advancing with such projections, and a stop for arresting such advancing movement of said member at a. predetermined point.

2. In a calculating machine, a. diel, actuating means therefor, and an overthrow check for the dial comprising a series of projections fixed in relation to the dial, a member movable by the actuating means into a position ahead of one of said projections during the final part of the advancmg movement of the dial, said member be ing yieldable to the advancing influence of such projection, and means for positively stopping the advance of said member at a predetermined point.

3. In a calculating machine, a dial, actuating means therefor, and an overthrow check for the dial comprising a series of projections connected to the dial to advance therewith, a pair of stops, and a member adapted to play laterally between said stops and shiftable endwise by the actuating means into a position ahead of one of said projections.

In a calculating machine, a diel, actuating means therefor, and an overthrow check vtor the dial comprising a series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, a pair of stops, and

means for yieldably of said stops, said member being movable by the actuating means into a position ahead projections whereby said holding it against one of one of said member is advanced by the movement of the dial until arrested by the other of said stops.

5. In a calculating machine, a dial, actuating means therefor; and an overthrow check for the dial comprising a series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, and a member reciprocatory by the actuating means into a position in. front of one of said projections and. movable laterally whereby it may advance through its engagement with said projection, and means for limiting the extent of advance of said member.

6. In a calculating machine, a dial, actuating means therefor, and an overthrow check for the dial comprising a series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, areciprocatory laterally-yieldable member movable by the actuating means into a position in Front of one of said projections, said member yielding laterally a member having.

under the influence of said projection during the advance of the dial, and means for positively arresting the laterally yielding movement of said member.

7. In a calculating machine, a dial, actuating keys, means operative by the keys for advancing the dial, and an overthrow check for the dial comprisinga series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, a longitudinally reciprocatory, laterallyyieldable member, final portion of astroke of a key for moving said, member into a position to be engaged and moved laterally by one of said projections during the final part of the advancing movement of the dial, and a relatively fixed stop for limiting such lateral movement of said member, said member being retracted by the initial part of the return stroke of such key.

8. In a calculating machine, a plurality of dials, a key for advancing each dial, and

, means indivi dually dials, keys operat indiv ually operative in the actuation o't each key for completing? the advance olieach dial should its advance by its my he incomplete.

9. In a. calculating: nuichinc, a plurality of dials,,u lrcy operative at each stroke thereoi? to advance its respective ('al, and auxiliary operative concurrently with the actuation of each key and capable of advancing the respective dial through the keys and movable in theudirection of advance of the dials to complete such advance ofthe corresponding dials shouldtheir advance by the respective keys be incomplete.

12. In a. calculating machine, a set oi dials, keys each operative during astroke thereot in one direction to advance the respective dial, and auxiliary means operative individiu lly duringa she of its re spective key in an opposite di 'ectiou to complete the advance of the corresponding dial should its advance by its key be inroin- -plete.

13. In a calculating machine, a set of dials, keys capable at each actuation there of of completely advancing its respec dial, and auxiliary means operative illillWtlually bythe respective keys and ca 'iable o'li completing' the advance of the dials should their advance by their respective keys be incomplete.

let. In a calculating machine, a dial, lreytrolled actuating means including member movable in one direction at each stroke of a key to advance the respective dial, and an):-

actuated by mcvem -e o advance etuleting machine, 1

V .uatng means including a :tt e an, one direction to advance the respective dial at each stroke of a key, and auxiliary means actuated by return rotation of said shaft and capableoit completing: the.

advancing movement of the dial.

163. Ina calculating machine, a dial, dial advancing means responsive to each stroke of a key, it series of projections arranged-t0 advance w th the dial, and aimemloer opera- 5 t engege V appr priatevproi ction f advancin means,

means has been terminated.

ii". In a calculating machine, a dial, dial a series ot' projections ar .(LHUICQ with the dial, and a recipiutifitOiy member arranged to engage one ol? said projections and to move in the direction of advance of such advance the dial independently oi:

projection to thereby the advance of the dial by said dial ad 'aucing;

18. In a calculating machine, a dial. dial :ulvanc. means, a series of projections an ranged to edvance with the d] al. and a TQUIP- rrniatory laterally yielde-ble member opera; tive to engage one of said pro ections and thus complete advance of the dial should fits advance by said dial advancing means be incomplete.

' 19. In a calculating machine, a dial, keyoperated dial advancing means, a series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, and a pawl actuated by said dial advancing means said projections to further advance the dial should 'theyadvance of: the dial by the dial advancing means be incomplete.

20. In a calculating machine, a dial, keyoperwed dial advancing means, a series of projections arranged to advance with the dial, and a reciprocatory pawl. actuated by .seid dial advancing iineans and operative upon one said projectionsto complete the advance of the. dial should its advance by sa diet at vs 'ng means beincomplete.

2?. In a calculating machine, a dial, keyoperated dial advancing means, a series of projections arranged to advance With the die and a longitiulinally reciprocatory lat err ielrleblc pawl rccipi'ocated hy said rial anning; means and operative to en- 'a e one of said projections and advance the ial should its advance by said dial advancing; means be incomplete.

22. In a calculating means, a dial, keyoperated dial advancingmeans operative in one direction to advance the dial, aseries of nojecticns arran ed .idva (f6 with the and a pawl dial ad -eans durin its retu n movement 5 ections to should its means he nuchine. dial, dial it ip; a di 1 ac tu shaft. :1. sei'i-s oi? projet ions connected to the dial to move therewith. a longitudinally rcciprocatoi'y pawl adapted for endWise endvancing means, a series of projections conand operative upon one of nected to advance with the dial, a longitudinally reciprocatory laterally yieldable pawl adapted for endwise engagement at one end with one of said projections, a bar pivotally attached to the other end of the pawl, and means actuated by the dial advancing means and operative upon said. bar to reciprocate the pawl.

25. In a calculating machine, dials, dial actuating mechanism including a rock shaft, a column of keys for operating the dials, a reciprocatory actuating bar operative by such keys, a crank fixed to said shaft, and a rod operatively connecting said bar to said crank.

26. In a calculating machine, dials, dial nesses.

JAMES F. MAYS. Witnesses:

CHAS. S. HYER, C. A. BATEMAN. 

